Early morning.
In a small, secluded courtyard, Zhao Xuewen heard a loud knocking at the door. He glanced at his mother, who was busy in the kitchen, and his "sister," who was rubbing her sleepy eyes.
Pursing his lips, he called out, "Mother, don't worry, I'll get the door."
After saying this, he deliberately waited for a few seconds. There was no response, only the faint clinking of pots and pans. Feeling awkward and at a loss, Zhao Xuewen walked toward the door.
Su Ning Assassinated and Comatose, Feared Dead
Renowned Master Asserts Miss Su is Already Dead
Fertilizer Plant Halts Production, Panic Spreads, Who Will Be the New Boss?
Anonymous Source: Angrily Denounces Miss Su's Relatives as Heartless, Refusing Visits and Hiding Her Condition for Financial Gain
Holding over a dozen newspapers in his hands, Zhao Xuewen was unconsciously engrossed in reading. The corners of his mouth curled up, and it took almost all his strength to suppress the urge to burst out laughing.
Although he had known this news for a while, seeing it in the papers felt different. He was smart and quick-witted; if the newspapers dared to report this, it meant Su Ning's situation was truly dire...
He flipped to another page.
He didn't quite like the headline of this newspaper; it was about the interrogation results of the assassin. Right in the middle was a black-and-white photograph of a man he recognized.
Su Ning's loyal lapdog.
Lin Sen.
Compared to before, he looked noticeably thinner. His facial features were sharper and more prominent, and his exhausted eyes carried a deep, bloodthirsty hatred.
Of course. The master was doomed, so the dog was naturally anxious.
At this thought, Zhao Xuewen's initially soaring mood quickly plummeted. Without the generous salary Su Ning paid his mother, what would happen to his tuition and living expenses?
As for the Zhao family... that was out of the question.
Just then.
"What are you doing standing here in a daze?"
A sudden female voice rang out. At the same time, a pair of hands snatched the newspapers away. Shang Wenyun caught a glimpse of the headlines, and with a cold, decisive expression, she crumpled them into a ball.
"Mother!"
Startled by her reaction, Zhao Xuewen couldn't help but cry out. How had his mother's personality become like this—so impulsive and quick-tempered? She hadn't even changed this much when his father died.
Was Su Ning really that important?
"Useless thing," Shang Wenyun said coldly, completely ignoring her "son's" suddenly stiff face before slowly adding the second half of her sentence:
"The stove fire went out. This is perfect for kindling."
Using the newspaper for kindling without even reading it?
Zhao Xuewen swallowed the question that had reached his throat. He hastily forced a smile, stepped a little closer, and carefully observed Shang Wenyun's expression. He tried to grab her hand and act spoiled like his sister, but he grabbed empty air.
"You're a boy, why are you being so clingy?"
Shang Wenyun frowned.
"Didn't your grandmother always say that since your father died, you're the pillar of this branch of the family? You need to strive for success and show some masculinity." She said this very calmly, but she noticed her "son's" face suddenly change color.
There was definitely something wrong here!
Making a mental note of this, Shang Wenyun sneered inwardly, but now was not the time.
She shot a cold glance at Zhao Xuewen.
Turned back into the house.
"Mother, the newspaper just said that Su Ning... no, Miss Su is critically injured and her fate is unknown." Zhao Xuewen hurried after her, carefully probing. "You are her confidante, you must know the inside story, right?"
"What does it have to do with you?"
"I mean, if Miss Su isn't going to make it, there must be many people out there who want to know. A wise bird chooses a good tree to nest in... You could use this information to quickly find a suitable new patron."
The figure ahead stopped.
He felt a surge of joy in his heart.
Just as he was about to continue persuading her, a heavy slap landed across his face.
Smack.
The sound was crisp and loud.
"You really are cut from the same cloth as the Zhao family. No wonder they like you so much." Shang Wenyun's tone was mocking and disdainful. Right now, she only thought of him as an illegitimate child, so she meant nothing else by it.
However, Zhao Xuewen had a guilty conscience.
Holding his face in trepidation, he didn't dare say a word, terrified that his true identity would be exposed. At the same time, a deep resentment brewed in his heart—toward the Zhao family, toward Shang Wenyun, and most of all, toward the adoptive father who had brought him here.
Since they had kept it a secret for so many years.
Why couldn't they just keep hiding it?
He hated them!
...
Shang Wenyun smoothed out the crumpled newspaper.
She found the page about the assassin.
Looking it over, the entire spread was a good thousand words long. Aside from the headline mentioning the interrogation results, the main text didn't name the mastermind at all. It was entirely focused on either Su Ning's money or the fertilizer plant.
Oh, and it also expressed deep concern.
Fertilizer was of vital importance.
A certain enthusiastic bigwig, for the sake of the people's livelihood, intended to acquire the fertilizer plant at a high price, while leaving dividends for Su Ning to guarantee her medical care and future living expenses—or, if she died, to cover her funeral costs.
The newspaper also mentioned Su Huaishan's grand funeral, speculating on how luxurious Su Ning's funeral would be when the time came. At the very end, it invited readers to write in with their thoughts.
Shang Wenyun sneered endlessly.
Upon arriving at the hospital, after passing through layer upon layer of strict security checks—during which, unsurprisingly, a few more tails were caught—she finally reached the ward.
She handed the wrinkled newspaper to Lin Sen, who was guarding the door.
"Take a look."
"No need, I've already seen it."
Despite saying this, Lin Sen took it anyway. He gave it a cursory glance, then withdrew his gaze, firmly memorizing the name of that enthusiastic bigwig.
"How have things been these past few days?" Shang Wenyun raised an eyebrow. "I've received twelve invitations on my end. Some offered high prices, and some went all out, even offering to let me marry in as a second wife!"
"I've got more than you."
Lin Sen made a gesture indicating fifteen.
They both laughed.
"Now I finally understand why the Miss wanted to put on this act."
Strong winds reveal the sturdy grass; times of turmoil reveal loyal subjects.
Previously, when Shang Wenyun socialized on Su Ning's behalf, everything went smoothly. All she saw were smiling faces, and all she received was goodwill. Even with her guard up, it was hard not to be fooled by the flourishing, picture-perfect scenes.
Only now, with the glamour stripped away, could true intentions be seen.
"Who isn't?"
Lin Sen sighed softly as well.
Just then, the ward door was pushed open from the inside. The person who walked out was Chen Huaiqian. He gave a slight nod to the two waiting outside, while making his own calculations in his heart.
It seemed that aside from her closest relatives.
The people Miss Su trusted the most were these two...
Especially Shang Wenyun. He remembered that the Zhao family was one of the masterminds behind the assassination. Even if they weren't the main force, a strike was a strike. Yet Miss Su could still trust the Zhao family's daughter-in-law.
Do not use a person you suspect; do not suspect a person you use.
It sounded simple, but so many people couldn't do it. Miss Su, however, did it naturally.
Inside the room.
After seeing Chen Huaiqian off, Su Ning was in a wonderful mood. She drank tea while reading the newspaper. The headline was exactly the same as the one Shang Wenyun and Lin Sen held outside, but she wasn't particularly angry.
She even offered a critique:
"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Who wrote this? The propaganda is so stiff. What a waste of the hype Lin Sen specially stirred up. It must have been a rushed job. Zero stars."
"Right? I think the Peiping Daily did it best,"
the system chimed in.
Su Ning also remembered the newspaper it mentioned. It was also running propaganda for someone trying to seize the fertilizer plant, but they were much more clever about it. They first portrayed her as a vicious, profit-driven, and arrogantly domineering villain.
It hinted that the fertilizer factory was going to waste in her hands.
It would definitely harm the commoners.
Once enough groundwork was laid, they would bring up the fact that she was severely injured and on the verge of death. Then, in a deeply worried tone, they would ask: would the fertilizer factory be monopolized by the profit-driven Su family, causing prices to skyrocket?
Putting oneself in the readers' shoes to take a look.
Of course they would be anxious.
They absolutely would be. It had already been mentioned earlier that the Su family and Su Ning were cut from the same cloth, perhaps even more greedy and short-sighted. Whether Su Ning lived or died was not important; what mattered was that they would not be able to buy good fertilizer!
At this point, bringing forward the "suggested" ideal candidate to take over the fertilizer factory would make it exactly what everyone hoped for.
They would naturally win the public's favor.
After all, no matter how bad they were, they could not possibly be worse than Su Ning and the Su family, right?
It really is quite a good plan.
Su Ning said with satisfaction. Originally, after going through a few recent incidents, her reputation in the market had actually improved quite a bit. This absolutely would not do. No matter how small a mosquito's leg is, it is still meat.
The rewards from nameless NPCs.
When accumulated, they amounted to a considerable sum.
Some key plot characters were hard to squeeze rewards from. They either possessed incredibly resilient minds or were so noble that Su Ning could not bear to target them. That was when she had to make up the difference with the meager contributions from the commoners.
Host, your mindset is truly excellent.
Never suffering from internal self-doubt.
Su Ning smiled reservedly. You flatter me. I only need to keep up this act for a few more days. Once I get through this, it will be time for me to officially harvest the fruits of my labor.
Just a moment ago.
Chen Huaiqian came over and told her a piece of news. Led by Marshal Yan of Shanxi, various warlords, both large and small, who opposed the Nanjing government had formed an alliance, demanding that the Generalissimo step down.
This was the signal for war.
She, who was supposed to be dragged into this chaotic vortex, could now simply lie in her hospital bed and quietly watch the storm unfold.
Of course, I still need to collect a little interest first.
Otherwise, I really will make myself sick from anger!
